Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/12/24)
Will the Elimination Chamber be All Mighty?
Will the All Mighty stop a Tsunami?
As the Road to WrestleMania takes its twists and turns, Bobby Lashley battles “Big” Bronson Reed for a spot in the Elimination Chamber match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Jey Uso & The New Day VS Imperium; Jey & New Day win.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed; Lashley wins and advances to Elimination Chamber: Perth.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Liv Morgan VS Zoey Stark; Liv wins and advances to Elimination Chamber: Perth.
- R-Truth VS JD McDonagh w/ Judgment Day; JD wins.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: LA Knight VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Knight wins and advances to Elimination Chamber: Perth.
- Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Jey Uso & The New Day VS Imperium!
Main Event Jey Uso opens the night alongside some of his greatest rivals to take on some common enemies! Will it be #NewDayOneIsh in Kentucky? Or will Der Ring General and his soldiers make the mat sacred?
The teams sort out and Kofi starts against Ludwig Kaiser. The fans rally with “YEET!” as Kofi and Kaiser tie up. They go around, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Kaiser turns it around on Kofi then he ROCKS Kofi! Kofi fires back, Kaiser ROCKS him back, and they brawl! They CHOP and CHOP, Kofi CHOPS and CHOPS and fires forearms! Kaiser knees low, CLUBS Kofi down, then brushes himself off. Kaiser then PENALTY KICKS Kofi down! Kaiser sits Kofi up to PENALTY- NO, Kofi ducks that kick to DROPKICK back! Fans fire up as Kofi LARIATS! Tag to Woods, the speed blitz! PENALTY KCIK, SLIDING LARIAT, IMPLODER SPLASH and ELBOW DROP!
Woods puts Kaiser in the corner and the fans fire up again. Woods stomps and scrapes Kaiser, then says it’s time to turn up! The stampede begins! Tag to Kofi, he stomps away on Kaiser now! Tag to Jey, he gets some stomps in! The fans fire and “YEET!” with each one, then Woods tags in. Woods stomps away, tag back to Jey! Woods whips Jey in to HIP ATTACK! Gunther frowns as Jey grins, and the fans fire up. Jey dares Gunther to get in so Gunther tags! The fans fire up as Jey and the Intercontinental Champion circle. Then Gunther tags to Giovanni Vinci, and he CLOBBERS Jey! Vinci stomps Jey but lets off to mock the bounce.
Gunther wants in now? Tag to Gunther, he rips off the Yeet shirt to CHOP Jey down! Fans boo but Gunther looms over Jey. Gunther stomps Jey, tags to Kaiser, and the Impeccable German rains down fists! The fans boo but Kaiser lets off to glare at Kofi and Woods. The fans rally with “UCE! OH!” and Jey UPPERCUTS! Jey DECKS Vinci, UPPERCUTS Kaiser, and Gunther avoids the haymaker! Kaiser CLOBBERS Jey out of the ring and Gunther BOOTS him down! The fans boo but Imperium soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kaiser has Jey in a cravat. Jey throws body shots and the fans “YEET!” with each one. Jey then powers up to a BIG back suplex! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and both men crawl. Hot tags to Vinci and Woods! Kofi tags in just as Woods rallies on the Pride of Italy! Woods BLASTS Kaiser, and Kofi SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES Vinci! SWINGING NECKBREAKER then a FAMOUSER! Tag back to Woods so that he can tag back to Kofi! STEP-IN DDT and then a FLYING SPLASH! Down goes Vinci, Kofi covers, TWO! The fans rally up and Kofi waits on Vinci. Kofi brings Vinci up but Kaiser distracts!
Woods runs up to trip Kaiser and he fires off haymakers! The fans cheer but Kaiser claws Woods’ face! Kofi WRECKS Kaiser with a dropkick, then dodges Vinci! LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kofi hits the “NEW~ DAY~!” BOOMD DROP! The fans fire up and clap along with Kofi, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” But Kaiser anchors a leg! Kofi kicks at Kaiser but Vinci DUMPS Kofi out! Kaiser then brings Kofi up to RAM into the steel steps! Kaiser puts Kofi in and Vinci BOOTS Kofi back out! The ref reprimands but Vinci fetches Kofi into the ring. Cover, TWO! Kofi toughs it out, but Gunther tags in. Gunther stomps Kofi, then stalks him to ropes.
Gunther stands Kofi up to UPPERCUT him down! Gunther stares Woods down, then goes back for Kofi. Gunther smirks but fans boo as he bends Kofi back against ropes. Gunther ELBOWS Kofi down, then he soaks up the heat. Gunther taunts Jey, stands Kofi up, and CLUBS Kofi on the neck. Kofi goes to the Imperium corner and Gunther brings him up. Gunther UPPERCUTS, then taunts Jey more. But Kofi fights out of the corner, leaps, but Gunther catches him! Gunther keeps Kofi away from his corner, then CHOPS him down! Then Gunther sucker punches Jey! Gunther has the legs and he turns Kofi over, BOSTON CRAB!
Fans boo while Kofi endures, but Gunther mocks Jey! Jey storms in to SLAP Gunther! They brawl, the ref gets in there to stop it, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kofi fires hands on Kaiser, but Kaiser throws him down by hair! Kaiser DECKS Woods but Jey avoids the sucker punch. Kaiser turns around, into a back drop! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Vinci and Jey! Jey rallies on Vinci with LARIAT after LARIAT! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, and then a dodge to the SAMOAN DROP! Kaiser returns but he gets a SAMOAN DROP, too! Gunther stares Jey down and the fans fire up! Jey says “UCE!” “OH!” “UCE!” “OH!” HIP ATTACK for Kaiser! HIP ATTACK for Vinci! Jey swings on Gunther but Gunther gets away again. Kaiser runs up, into a SUPERKICK!
Vinci springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Jey dares Gunther to do something so Gunther calls to Kaiser. Kaiser crawls over, tag to Gunther! The fans fire up as Jey and Gunther stare down. Jey dodges the chop to haymaker again and again! Then the pop, lock ‘n’ – CHOP!! Gunther takes Jey down, then drags him back up for a ripcord! Jey dodges the lariat, but Gunther blocks the superkick! Gunther spins Jey but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Jey fires hands, then runs up, but Gunther puts Jey on the apron. Jey ROCKS Gunther, goes up, and Jey CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this but Jey keeps his cool.
The fans rally as Gunther flounders. Jey aims from a corner, runs up, and GUNTHER SMOTHERS THE SPEAR! Gunther turns Jey to CHOP him! Gunther BOOTS Woods, DECKS Kofi, then hauls Jey up! Ripcord, RAINMAKER! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives, Gunther is stunned! Gunther puts Jey in a drop zone, goes up a corner, and Gunther grins. Gunther mocks the bounce, then GUNTHER SPLASHES onto knees! Jey gets up to SPEAR!! Cover, Kaiser breaks it! The fans boo but Woods leaps in to BOOT Kaiser down! Vinci reaches out, Kofi POSTS Kaiser, Gunther tags to Vinci! Vinci hurries up to get Jey!
Vinci reels Jey in, lifts, but Jey slips free of the bomb! Vinci BOOTS Jey, but Jey SUPERKICKS back! Woods & Kofi get in, they pop Vinci up, ONE AND DONE!! Then Woods WRECKS Kaiser with a dropkick! Kofi FLIES to take Kaiser down! Jey goes up to USO SPLASH Vinci! Cover, New Day & Jey win!
Winners: Jey Uso & The New Day, by pinfall
Kentucky bounces in celebration while Imperium regroups and retreats. Is it only a matter of time before Gunther has to face Main Event Jey with the gold on the line?
Andrade speaks.
“Life has taught me I had to decide. What I want, what I deserve in this life. I love this business. I had my first match when I was 13. Yes, 13 years old. I became a champion many times. The next step, I had the opportunity to go to the WWE. And again, I became a champion. First, the NXT Champion. Then, United States Champion. But the titles were not enough. Three years ago, I needed to leave to remember who I was. Now, I am back.” The real Andrade is back, and his direction is clear. Where will El Idolo go on this Road to WrestleMania?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed!
As if the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia wasn’t big enough, a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is on the line, and two titans are about to battle for a spot! Will the All Mighty storm his way Down Under? Or will there be a colossal homecoming in the near future?
Raw returns as Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two tie up, Reed powers Lashley toa corner but Lashley turns it around. Reed turns it back around, the ref counts, but Reed HEADBUTTS! Then Reed CLUBS away on Lashley, runs up and SPLASHES! Lashley wobbles, Reed brings him up with a fireman’s carry, but Lashley slips free! Lashley clamps on a half nelson, Reed resists so Lashley throws knees! Lashley still tries the nelson but Reed RAMS him into a corner! Reed CLUBS Lashley, whips him corner to corner but Lashley comes back! Lashley LARIATS, Reed stays up!
Reed swings, Lashley dodges then hurdles, to CLOBBER Reed! The fans fire up and Lashley aims! But Reed dodges, the Spear hits buckles! Lashley falls out of the ring, the ring count begins, but Reed goes to the apron. Reed FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Lashley, sending him over the barriers! Fans fire up while Lashley is down in the front row, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lashley is in a corner. Reed storms up on him, and fires point-blank lariats! The fans rally for Lashley but Reed then short arm LARIATS Lashley! Reed soaks up the heat then drags Lashley up. Reed reels Lashley in, suplexes, but Lashley slips free! Lashley mule kicks, runs, and CLUBS Reed! Reed roars, runs up, but into a FLATLINER! The fans fire up with Lashley and he hauls Reed up, to SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Lashley covers, TWO! Lashley keeps his cool as he watches Reed go to a corner. The fans rally and Lashley runs up to clothesline! Then clothesline again! Lashley keeps moving and he RAMS into Reed!
Lashley brings Reed around, but Reed powers out of the neckbreaker to SUPERKICK! Reed fireman’s carries, to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Lashley survives and Reed seethes, but he then aims at the corner. Reed runs in but Lashley dodges the splash! Lashley then runs but Reed ROCKS him at ropes! Reed runs, but Lashley hits a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Reed survives and Lashley grits his teeth. Lashley aims from a corner, he wants Reed to get up! Reed rises, Lashley runs in, but Reed KNEES him away! URENAGE! SENTON! Fans are gasping for breath after that one!
Reed goes up the corner, but Lashley rises up! Lashley ROCKET LAUNCHES Reed! The fans fire up and Lashley takes aim again! SPEAR!! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
The All Mighty did indeed stop the Tsunami and he takes the spot from the Colossal Aussie! Will Lashley conquer the entire field inside that sinister structure? And who else joins the match with another qualifier happening tonight?
Jackie Redmond has a sit-down interview with Sami Zayn.
Like last time, the two sit in the bleachers before the show began. He was adamant that he is a contender, but since then, he lost on SmackDown and did not qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Now he goes against Shinsuke Nakamura over how things went down after Raw went off the air. Jackie asks, “How shaken is your confidence right now?” Sami says if you talk to any contender in any sport, when they vow to do something and then fall short, there’s a bit of embarrassment. If Sami said he was gonna beat McIntyre and then he loses to McIntyre, there’s a part of him that feels embarrassed, that wants to just stay in bed and not show up for work.
That is a feeling Sami has felt many times in his career. But every single time, even this time, that feeling is always overtaken by a much stronger feeling, an unwavering believe in himself. Last week, he talked about where he was this time last year. And this time last year, he was face to face with Cody Rhodes, and he told Cody that Sami if he wants to main event WrestleMania, he has to believe in himself or nobody else will. And that believe in himself has carried Sami to WrestleMania, has carried him throughout his entire career. So yes, he still believes what he said about being a contender and future champion. That is a promise.
And it won’t be an easy path, but it is one he is willing to walk to get there. If he gave in to despair- Wait, Shinsuke Nakamura got on the tron to call Sami out? “What’s wrong with you? You’ve had the glory, the moments. Have you forgotten that? Oh, I see. You act like you’re in misery. You want people’s sympathy! Such a clever guy you are. Just like Cody. But, I’d love to see your true self in the ring. The real you that tries to swindle people and stay in the spotlight. But if you don’t let your real emotions out, I won’t tolerate it. Your chance is gone. But don’t worry. I’ll pick up your soul, and continue my warpath forward.”
The King of Strong Style accuses the Great Liberator of putting on a facade, but will Sami prove that the REAL Sami is unstoppable?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Kentucky fires up for the American Nightmare as he heads to the ring, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets the mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “So, Lexington, Kentucky…! What do we wanna talk about? I believe we could talk about how, in the main event at WrestleMania 40, I will be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns!” The fans fire up for that! Cody says it took him awhile to be able to even say that. And the only reason he can is because… of the fans. The fans cheer that! Cody says the fans certainly made their voices heard, because for a full week, trending worldwide, screaming and shouting and whispering, spreading the word, and the word was…
The fans chant it now! “WE WANT CODY!” Cody thanks them for that, and says that he really doesn’t know how he could ever repay the fans. Actually, there really is only one way. He looks to the Mania sign and says aw, they’re making him emotional! Cody gets it, he is a passionate man, he is passionate about the WWE and his legacy within it. Cody’s astrological sign is Cancer, so he’s often wearing his heart on his sleeves. But he doesn’t wanna get too emotional, or else he’ll be a… crybaby. Fans boo the nickname, and then chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” Cody says while so many were saying “WE WANT CODY,” there was certainly one man who absolutely, 100% did NOT.
That same man happens to be the most famous human being alive, a potential presidential candidate, the original People’s Champion, and even the man who coined the term, “Cody Crybabies.” Cody shares with us footage from last Thursday’s Pat McAfee Show, where Rock pointed out three units: Cody, his fans, and his “crybabies.” For every 10 tweets, they’re shoving a chicken nugget in their mouth, and for every 20 tweets, they’re shoving two up their candy asses. The Rock says all you gotta do is sit back, shut your mouth, know your role and enjoy the ride, so hashtag that! #CodyCrybabies!
Fans boo and Maggle blames Pat for this! Cody says he knows promos have changed since the last time The Rock was here, and people can’t even fathom matching The Rock on the mic, but Cody does have to ask… “What’re we supposed to do with the nuggets?” Pat was there, what was that again? Pat says something about asses. Cody says don’t mistake his levity for weakness, and that he isn’t still a fan of The Rock. We all have been a fan at one point or another. Fans boo because they aren’t now, but Cody says one thin The Rock doesn’t do is listen. At the press event, Cody said nothing to insult the ancestors, and yet The Rock still slapped Cody in the face!
Fans boo but Cody continues that you can hear the river overflowing. He saw the look in The Rock’s eyes. It wasn’t “The People’s” energy, that was malevolence. The Rock and Roman Reigns together, that’s the perfect storm. But please, make no mistake, The Rock put his hands on Cody. The Rock slapped Cody in the face, and what that means now is… “I’m going to hit you back.” The fans fire up hearing that! And then Seth Rollins makes his way out here! The Visionary swaggers his way out in a white suit and leopard print jacket, and he joins Cody in the ring as the fans sing his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins gets himself a mic, revels in the singing a moment, then takes a bow. Cody says yes, absolutely take a bow. And before we get started with whatever this is, Cody wants to thank Rollins for coming to his aid at the press event. The fans cheer, and Rollins says, “What can I except… you’re welcome.” But first thing’s first, as much as Rollins was looking forward to defend his title against Cody at Mania, he understands Cody’s decision. Rollins understands why Cody chose Roman Reigns, why he needs Roman’s title. #FinishTheStory. And there are millions of people around the world who want Cody to finish his story!
But now that the decision has been made, Rollins wants to make this very clear: Cody NEEDS to finish the story. Cody needs to, for himself, for his dad, for Rollins, for every single person here tonight! And this is why: If Cody does NOT beat Roman at Mania and take the Undisputed Championship from Roman, the landscape on the other side is very, very dark. Cody has the most powerful champion of the modern era, Roman Reigns, only getting more powerful, with more leverage. That means Roman shows up less, he defends that title less, and that glass ceiling gets thicker, and the brass rings are raised higher.
“This is probably the last real chance that any of us has to take that title, to take that power, and to give it to the people!” The fans cheer that! The fans chant for Cody, he smiles, and Rollins continues by saying Cody might just be the man for the job. “But Cody… What’s your plan? Because last year, you got screwed out of the title in the main event of WrestleMania. The Usos were there, Paul Heyman was there, Solo was there, Roman Reigns, you couldn’t get the job done. But you fought your way back, you won the Royal Rumble again. The deck’s stacked against you just the same. Except now, the bar has been raised.
“Because you’re not just dealing with Heyman and Solo and Jimmy and Roman, you are dealing with the biggest star, the most influential man in the entire entertainment industry. You’ve got to deal with The Rock.” Fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” again and Rollins says he tends to agree with the fans. That is why Rollins is here to tell Cody, “You do not have to fight this battle alone.” The fans like the sound of that! Rollins and Cody haven’t always seen eye to eye, but a couple weeks back, Cody told Roman that he doesn’t want to just take the title, he wants to take everything. And deep in Rollins’ soul, he felt that!
That is why at the press event, when Rock laid hands on Cody, Rollins stepped up! Rollins is sick and tired of people like The Rock, like Roman Reigns, these arrogant and entitled pricks who think they can do whatever they want, throw their weight around and make any decision they want with no consequence, Rollins is sick of them getting away with it! Rollins cools off, and wants to admit something. The man Roman is today is partly Rollins’ fault. Nearly 12 YEARS ago, he and Roman came down those stairs, “we were brothers forged from the same fire.” Rollins taught Roman everything he knows.
But he couldn’t have imagined the monster Roman has become. “And now, that monster has got two heads. Because he is standing side by side with the only person on this planet who is as entitled and selfish as he is. But when it comes to fighting The Bloodline, when it comes to fighting The Rock, when it comes to fighting Roman Reigns, there is only one man on Earth who is uniquely suited to be your shield. I’ll give you a hint: he was once an Architect, he is now a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is SETH!” “FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!!” The fans love this idea, and Cody seems intrigued. Could we get a tag team match for the ages?
Backstage interview with The New Day & Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is with the trio coming off their big win tonight. Cathy got word that next week, Gunther will defend his Intercontinental Championship against- Who? Who who who who? Wait, is it him? Yes, it is Main Event Jey Uso. WOO~! Jey is all fired up now! Big W tonight for him and the NEW~ DAY~, and a big W coming next week! Soon, there will be a NEW Intercontinental Champion, and it will be Jey UCE-OHHH~ mah gawd, did Jey slap the hecc out of Gunther. Gunther had that crab cooking Kofi’s back, Kofi appreciates it. The trio heads out, will Jey end Gunther’s historic title reign at 619 days?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Liv Morgan VS Zoey Stark!
The revenge tour begins as Liv looks to make her way right to Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley! However, the Hunter is hunting down her own title opportunities, and what better place than inside the Chamber? Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair are already in, who joins them on this Big Time Road to WrESTleMania?
Raw returns as Stark makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Liv rolls Stark up, TWO! Stark is annoyed, she swings, but Liv dodges to fire off haymakers! the ref counts, Stark shoves Liv away then bumps her off buckles. Stark runs up, Liv dodges and kicks low. Liv stomps a mudhole in, the ref counts and Liv says okay! Fans fire up with Liv and she brings Stark out, but Stark waistlocks. Liv switches, shoves Stark but Stark bucks the O’Conner to CLOBBER Liv! Fans rally while Stark stomps Liv, then rains down forearms! Cover, TWO! Stark stomps Liv to ropes, drags her up and reels her in.
Stark scoops, Liv slips free and dodges the backhand, then RANAS Stark away! Fans fire up and Liv baits Stark in. Stark ends up on the apron, Liv RAMS into her, then bumps her off buckles! Liv runs side to side to triangle jump GAMANGIRI! Stark falls to the floor and the fans fire up! Liv then DIVES into a haymaker! Stark storms up to the apron, springboards, but Liv ROCKS her right back! Liv goes up the corner, but Stark anchors her! Liv CLUBS Stark, Stark fires forearms, then Stark fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY! Stark tells Liv this is about Stark, not her, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv runs in to back body block! Liv then runs back in, SHINING WIZARD! Liv pushes Stark out of the corner to go up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Liv is frustrated but the fans rally up. Stark goes to another corner, Liv runs up, but Stark blocks shining wizard to RUNNING POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Stark is frustrated but the fans rally up again. Liv goes to ropes, Stark aims from across the way. Stark springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Liv still lives and Stark is beside herself! Stark pushes Liv around, says no one likes her and asks why she’s even here!
Stark scoops but Liv fires forearms! Stark body shots Liv away, then runs in, but Liv goes up and over to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Stark escapes and Liv can’t believe it! Liv glares at Stark as she rises, and runs up, but no Code Breaker! Stark SLAMS Liv, then CATAPULTS her into buckles! Liv wobbles, Stark runs in, but Liv STOMPS her down! Liv then aims again as Stark drags herself up the ropes. Liv runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Stark is furious again! Stark drags Liv to a drop zone, stomps her, then goes up the corner. Stark aims, PHOENIX SPLASH FLOPS as Liv moves!
Liv runs up, CODE BREAKER, into ObLIVion!! Cover, Liv wins!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
And with that, the revenge tour continues! Will we all watch Liv take this tour to Philadelphia?
The Judgment Day heads for gorilla position.
And so does R-Truth? Truth says this group looks good together, but will be even better once JD faces reality. McDonagh needs to realize he’s not in Judgment Day. JD?! Facing reality!? Truth, enough of this! But Damian Priest has JD hold on so he can handle this. Priest tells Truth that this is enough. They’ve had laughs together, but no more jokes. Truth is NOT part of the crew. Truth never has been! Every beating Truth got was just a beating, no other reason! No initiations, no re-initiations, nothing! Not even a pre-initiation? NO, nothing! They’re being serious! It might be hard for Truth to understand, but Priest will be very clear and make the message simple.
Tonight, this is an execution. Can Truth get that through his skull? The actual Judgment Day heads out, but will the Irish Ace truly erase Truth?
R-Truth VS JD McDonagh w/ Judgment Day!
Raw returns as Truth is on the phone. Adam Pearce walks over but Truth asks him to hold on. How long does it take to fly from Los Angeles to Lexington? Never mind, Truth got Miz’s voicemail. Truth tells Miz the match will probably already be started, but he needs Miz’s help! Just hop on a plane and fly here now! Miz was right all along, Judgment Day gonna kill Truth! Pearce pushes Truth out through the curtain, and Truth has no choice but to face reality alone. The bell rings and JD runs up to kick Truth low! JD CLUBS Truth, snapmares and rains down elbows! JD bumps Truth off buckles, but Truth fires back!
The fans fire up for Truth, he bumps JD off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles! Truth bumps JD off a third corner, and calls for the final! But JD kicks low, only for Truth to block and bump him off buckles after all! The fans rally for Truth, they cant “JD SUCKS!” and Truth whips to hip toss JD down! The fans fire up and say, “WHAT’S UP!” Truth does the splits, runs corner to corner and SPLASHES! Truth whips again, then back drops JD away! The fans fire up and Truth says “You Can’t See Me!” Truth fireman’s carries JD, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! But Dom gets JD outta there! Fans boo but Truth is on top as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Truth down with a chinlock. Truth fights up as the fans rally, and Truth throws hands! JD returns the shots, they brawl, and Truth gets the edge! JD kicks but Truth blocks to then shove JD into a corner! JD staggers, Truth runs to shoulder tackle! And shoulder tackle! The fans fire up as Truth hits the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth says “You Can’t See Me!” But JD KICKS Truth from below! Truth does the splits to duck the lariat, then CALF KICKS JD down! And Truth resets, “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! JD staggers around, Truth fireman’s carries, but Priest storms up the apron!
Truth is distracted, JD slips free to O’Conner Roll with tights! TWO!?! Truth escapes, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and hits the LIE DETECTOR! Fans fire up as Truth kicks low, runs the ropes, but JD avoids the Scissor Kick! JD kicks low, reels Truth in, DEVLINSIDE! Cover, JD wins!
Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall
The Irish Ace finally avenges that loss to Truth months ago that started this whole mess, and Priest even hugs it out with him. The fans boo as Finn runs in, but Truth dodges! Truth fires hands on JD, on Dom, TACKLES JD, but Finn drags Truth away! Truth TOSSES Finn! Truth stares Priest down, but JD storms up! Truth DECKS JD and JD ends up on ropes! Then Priest DECKS Truth! Priest stomps Truth, Dom and Finn join in, then JD gets up to add kicks! Fans boo as they rip away Truth’s shirt, but here comes DIY! Ciampa & Gargano have chairs, and the fans fire up as they run Judgment Day off!
Ciampa & Gargano dare the thugs to do something but Judgment Day retreats. Seems Truth has more allies in this fight, will he and DIY tear down The Judgment Day?
Cody Rhodes finds Sami Zayn backstage.
Cody thanks Sami for having his back last week with Nakamura & McIntyre. Sami says he always has Cody’s back, and Cody says it’s the same for Sami. And Cody heard what Sami had to say earlier. Sami isn’t the only one who believes in Sami, Cody does, too. And more importantly, the fans believe in Sami. Sami hugs Cody and thanks him. Cody wishes Sami luck, will Sami be able to take down the King of Strong Style?
Becky Lynch is here!
The fans fire up as Raw enters the Big Time! Becky goes to the ring, gets the mic, and smiles as the fans chant her name. Becky says, “The Man has come around to Lexington, Kentucky! And I just saw a very interesting sign over here. I guess I’m going to the prom in 2034. We are officially on the Road to WrestleMania, and it has been crazy! It has been wild, it has been chaotic, it has been confusing at times, but it’s been unpredictable, and I love that about this. And man, I love this. I love this business so much. I was 15 years old the first time I stepped foot in a wrestling ring, and I have been obsessed ever since.
“And that obsession has been great, at times. Most of the time. It is the reason I have gotten to travel around the world, it is the reason I am in front of you fine people.” The fans applaud, and Becky says that it is also the reason a girl who once failed gym class went on to main event WrestleMania! The fans cheer that, and Becky says it is how she met her husband, why she has her daughter, but it is also why she’s missed loved ones’ birthdays, weddings, and her own father’s funeral. And Becky’s daughter may only be three years old, but she’s already had to have very difficult conversations with her.
Becky has had to explain to her daughter why her mother’s face is busted open and bloody, why she couldn’t pick her up with her separated shoulder, why Daddy wants to fight Maui from Moana. Becky will also be going to Elimination Chamber, so she knows her daughter will see her face smashed against steel, body bruised and broken, but her daughter will also see the brutality her mother is capable of. Fans fire up for that! Becky says she is obsessed with this, and she has never been more obsessed with getting a title back, something she has not held in almost two YEARS, and it starts with the Elimination Chamber, and then facing one of the most dominant champions we’ve ever seen.
Becky knows a lot of people love “Mami.” You dig Mami, and think no one can beat her. The fans do chant for “Mami! Mami!” But Becky knows she ain’t just anyone. And Rhea ain’t ever faced anyone quite like Becky. So whether you love Rhea, hate Rhea, love Becky or hate Becky, Becky wants to make a little toast here. Can she get a drink? They hand her a cup of lemonade, and she toasts the wild ride we’re about to go on all the way to Mania. So if you’ve got a drink, or even popcorn or just a fist, raise it high! Cheers to Rhea Ripley, “enjoy your last few weeks as champion.” Bottoms up!
But wait, here comes Nia Jax! Fans boo as the Irresistible Force makes her way out to the ring with a mic of her own. Nia tells Becky, “I know we’ve had our differences. But I have something to say to you, and I’d like to get in the ring with you, please.” Becky allows it and Nia steps inside. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Nia but Nia tells Becky, “I have so much respect for you.” Fans boo, sensing the fakeness. But Nia says if her mom was half the mother Becky is, Nia would be so lucky. God willing, if Nia ever becomes a mother and can lead an example like Becky… “My God, you’re gonna win that match at Elimination Chamber. I know it.
“With that passion and that drive for your little girl, there is nothing that’s gonna stop you from winning that match and going to WrestleMania.” Fans boo the crocodile tears and then Nia says, “Just like nothing’s gonna stop me from beating Rhea Ripley and becoming Women’s World Champion. And at WrestleMania, it’s-” RHEA IS HERE! The fans fire up as THE Women’s World Champion storms her way down to the ring! Rhea slides in, dodges Nia, and TACKLES her! The fans fire up as Rhea rains down fists! Nia hits Rhea back, HEADBUTTS her, then SHOVES her at Becky! Becky and Rhea stop from colliding, but Nia SPLASHES them both!
The lemonade spills, Nia fireman’s carries, but Rhea slips free! Nia DECKS Rhea, but Becky MISSILE DROPKICKS Nia! The fans fire up as Nia is sent tumbling! Becky and Rhea stare down now and the fans are torn. But then Rhea gets around Becky to BOOT Nia off the apron! Rhea says Nia will have to KILL her to take the title! One way or another, Nia and Rhea will collide in Perth, but will Becky be waiting on the other side?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Jackie Redmond is with the Scottish Terminator, and congratulates him on qualifying for the Elimination Chamber match. But before then, he will face Cody Rhodes 1v1. How does it feel to be one step closer to the World Heavyweight Championship? McIntyre says all he’s ever done is tried to give the fans what we want. Cody was second guessing himself about his story, and no matter what Cody says, the reason Cody chose Roman is because McIntyre pushed him in the right direction. Now, Rollins is playing hero, but he wanted Cody in a match for himself, even though the fans didn’t want it. That’s selfish!
“Ask yourself: who’s really the bad guy here?” Cody should be thanking McIntyre, not fighting him! People are saying McIntyre just wants Cody VS Roman so McIntyre can have the match with Rollins. That’s not how this works! McIntyre is the underdog! He had to beat AJ Styles, one of the best in the world, just to get into the Chamber, one of the most dangerous matches ever! McIntyre is doing things the right way. The Drew Way! McIntyre tells Cody, mate, get yourself out of this match with him while you still can. Cody doesn’t need this right now.
Two things Cody should be avoiding: being in McIntyre’s prayers; and being in a fight with him. Because then, Cody might not even make it to Mania. Just like CM Punk. McIntyre sneers, but will the American Nightmare not run away from this fight?
R-Truth regroups with DIY.
Truth appreciates them making the save. Well, their ol’ pal, The Miz, gave them a call, knowing Truth might need the help. And plus, they weren’t going to pass up a chance to mix it up with Judgment Day again. Yeah, who would’ve thought? Truth being saved by DX! The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, and The Cerebral Assassin, Triple HHH! How’s Road Dogg doing, by the way? But anyway, Truth’s got two words for ya~! Thank you! Oh. Well at least it wasn’t the other two words. And Gargano does see himself as a sexy boy. But will Truth ever get his head right if he’s going to win this fight?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: LA Knight VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!
The Mega Star of SmackDown is looking to get Raw in Lexington, YEAH! But will the Elimination Chamber know whose game it is? Or will the War Beard bring the raid to Perth?
Raw returns and Ivar makes his entrance. The bell rings and Knight circles with Ivar. Then Sarah takes a swipe! Ivar RAMS Knight into the corner, stomps away, but lets off to haul Knight up. Ivar underhooks and lifts but Knight slips free! Knight JABS, JABS, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight dodges Ivar’s clothesline to kick and DDT! Ivar flounders out of the ring but Knight builds speed to WRECK Ivar with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Knight smacks Ivar off the desk! And again, and again, and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up for one last SMACK, but Ivar staggers away and slides into the ring.
Knight drags Ivar back out, fires more hands, then RAMS him into the barriers! The fans fire up but Sarah stares Knight down. Knight goes back for Ivar but Ivar FLAPJACKS him onto the barriers! Ivar snarls, the fans boo, but Sarah smiles as Ivar runs in, SPLASH against the barriers! Knight sputters and the Viking Raiders soak up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ivar goes up a corner, but Knight ROCKS him first! Knight goes up after Ivar, but Ivar resists the superplex! Ivar throws body shots, shoves Knight away, but Knight comes back and springs right up top! SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous, Knight crawls to the cover, TWO! Ivar survives and even Sarah seems shocked! Sarah shouts for Ivar to get up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight throws hands! Ivar ROCKS Knight right back! But Knight ducks the leg lariat, to scoop!? But the back gives out! Ivar runs up, into an ELBOW! Knight runs up, but into a scoop and SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
Knight survives and bails out but Ivar pursues. Ivar drags Knight up but Knight HOTSHOTS him back! Knight hurries back up, RAMS but into underhooks! Ivar brings Knight back into the ring, TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives again and Sarah is fuming! Ivar aims from a corner while the fans boo, but he runs in, only for Knight to avoid the Bronco Buster! Knight KNEES Ivar, then scoops! POWERSLAM!! Knight keeps moving, BIG ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Ivar isn’t done yet and Sarah looks around in concern. Knight stomps a mudhole, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”
Knight goes to the far corner, but Sarah gets on the apron! She shouts at him, but Ivar storms up! Knight dodges, Ivar almost runs into Sarah! Knight cravats but no BFT! LEG LARIAT O’ DOOM!! Ivar drags Knight to a drop zone and climbs! DOOMSAULT misses!! Knight gets Ivar for the B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
“YEAH!” The War Beard flew too high and came crashing down, and now The Mega Star has a spot in the Chamber! And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! Will Knight then take that world title match for WrestleMania in Philly?
Sami heads to gorilla, but comes across McIntyre.
They stare down, but McIntyre says he’ll make it simple: “Keep my name out of your mouth, and your nose out of my bloody business.” Sami says McIntyre’s in his way. McIntyre scoffs, and steps aside. Sami heads out, ready to face Shinsuke Nakamura. Will Sami still find that path to WrestleMania? Or will Nakamura keep his promise of tearing Sami’s soul away?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Raw!
After “DX” made the save, they will team with The Awesome Truth against The Judgment Day in an 8 Man Tag! Will Gargano, Ciampa, Miz & Truth be able to slow Finn Balor & Damian Priest down before the Undisputed Tag Team Championships are on the line at Elimination Chamber? And speaking of, after SmackDown sorts out Shotzi VS Tiffany and Naomi VS Zelina, the losers of those matches join Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Mia Yim in a Last Chance Battle Royal! Who will be lucky enough to still join Becky, Bianca and Liv inside the sinister structure?
Adam Pearce talks with Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
He assures them that the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships will- Chelsea Green interrupts. She heard about that Last Chance Battle Royal. So before she speaks to “upper management,” she will assume that Pearce did the right thing and put her in it. Why is it so hard for her to understand that Pearce IS “upper management?” And no, there is no final decision, there are a LOT of other women who want this opportunity, too. Chelsea explains this to him: WrestleMania 40 is to be the biggest WrestleMania of all time, and it can NOT be that without Chelsea! Indi tells Chelsea that not everything is about Chelsea!
Indi needs this shot for herself, so she can compete in her home country! Pearce says he and Aldis are working together on something big, it will involve both Raw and SmackDown, so there is a lot to consider. CONSIDER?! Chelsea is a (former) champion, Adam! She should not be “considered!” She needs a 1v1 match, not some Loser Battle Royal with people like Indi and Candice and Zoey and Shayna! FIX IT! But then she turns around and sees Zoey & Shayna. They were stopping in to talk about the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, but Shayna would love to take Chelsea’s hopes and dreams and do to them what she’ll do to Chelsea: tear them apart, limb by limb!
Chelsea nervously smiles and tells Adam to tell her that his glasses work. Please tell her he did not see them there. She has to speak to management! Well he needs a drink. Just what is cooking between the GMs of Raw and SmackDown? Will it be a Hot Mess like Chelsea?
Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
This match may have come about because of last week’s off-air confrontation, but this story dates back to when both men were in NXT. There has been a lot of history between these men in those eight years, this could be another instant classic. But will Sami keep his path to WrestleMania clear? Or will the King of Strong Style be far more than just a speedbump?
The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Sami wrenches to wristlock, but Nakamura puts Sami on ropes. The ref counts, Nakamura lets off slowly but Sami pushes him away. They reset and circle again, then feel things out. They tie up, Sami headlocks, but Nakamura powers Sami to ropes again. The ref counts, Nakamura lets off slowly but then KICKS Sami! The ref reprimands but Nakamura tells Sami, “C’MON~!” Sami snarls, still runs in after all, and Nakamura throws knees! Nakamura headlocks and grinds Sami but the fans rally up. Sami powers up and out, things speed up, and Sami hurdles to then DUMP Nakamura out!
The fans fire up and Sami builds speed to then fake Nakamura out! Sami says “C’MON~!” and Nakamura is mad now, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Sami paces around Nakamura. Sami headlocks, then bumps Nakamura off buckles. Sami pushes Nakamura out, goes up, and he AX HANDLES Nakamura down! Stack cover, TWO! Sami keeps cool, he drags Nakamura up but Nakamura RAMS him into the corner! Nakamura fires off knee after knee, then digs his boot in for BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura lets off, fireman’s carries to put Sami on the top rope, and then runs to TOP SHELF KNEE! Nakamura shoves Sami down, covers, TWO! Nakamura tries another cover, TWO! Nakamura is frustrated but he scuffs Sami around. Fans rally for Sami as Nakamura paces, then Nakamura KICKS!
Nakamura scuffs, then KICKS! Nakamura grins as Sami sputters, and then Nakamura KICKS! And KICKS, but Sami blocks! Only for Nakamura to ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Nakamura clamps onto Sami with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Sami fights to his feet, reaches out, and he snapmares free! Sami goes to a corner, Nakamura runs up but into an ELBOW! Sami boots but Nakamura blocks! Nakamura puts Sami in the ropes, KICKS him, and runs to SLIDING GERMAN! Fans boo but Nakamura just soaks it up as he covers, TWO! Sami survives and Nakamura seethes. Nakamura clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Sami down.
Sami fights up, but Nakamura reels him in! INVERTED EXPLODER, but Sami lands on his feet! Sami waistlocks, Nakamura elbows free and runs, but Sami scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Sami stays focused. The fans rally up behind Sami, he brings Nakamura up, and he ROCKS Nakamura with haymakers! Sami fires hands, whips, but Nakamura reverses. Sami goes up and over and clotheslines Nakamura out of the ring! The fans fire up as Sami builds speed, and Sami FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! A hard landing for both men, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Nakamura KICKS away on Sami in a corner! The fans boo but Nakamura just KICKS Sami more! Sami blocks one and the fans fire up! Sami CLUBS the leg, fires forearms, but Nakamura hits back! They brawl, the fans fire up behind Sami but Nakamura gets the edge. Sami gets the edge in return! Nakamura throws more shots, but Sami eggs him on! Nakamura fires a strike fest but Sami gets around! Nakamura grabs ropes, ELBOWS Sami, Sami ducks the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura aims from a corner, “YAO~!” KINSHA- NO, Sami dodges to BLUE THUNDER!! Cover, TWO!!
Sami can’t believe it but Nakamura survives! Nakamura and Sami crawl to corners, and Sami runs up, only for Nakamura to bail out! The fans boo but Sami goes out after Nakamura, to bring back a classic! DAREDEVIL DIVE into a GAMANGIRI! Nakamura remembered back to eight years ago! Sami flops into the ring, Nakamura goes up! FLYING KNEE to the back! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Nakamura is furious! Nakamura KNEES away on Sami’s head ‘n’ shoulders! Nakamura scuffs Sami, slaps him and knees him, then BOOTS him! Sami sits up but Nakamura stomps him down at the ropes!
Nakamura goes back up the corner, aims again, another BLINDSIDE FLYING KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sami survives and shocks Nakamura! Nakamura slaps Sami over and over, taunts him, then pushes him down. Sami shakes his head and the fans rally up again. Nakamura makes Sami sit up, but Sami pushes Nakamura away. Nakamura slashes his throat, vowing to end this! But Sami KING KONG LARIATS first!! Sami is all fired up and Lexington is with him! Sami rises, drags Nakamura up and JABS! SLAPS! And fires off more palm strikes! Nakamura ends up in a corner as Sami hammers away!
The ref backs Sami up, but Nakamura runs in! Sami catches him, CORNER EXPLODER! The fans fire up again as Sami goes to the far corner! Nakamura rises, but here comes McIntyre! Sami stares McIntyre down, but Nakamura dropkicks a leg out! BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall
Fans boo as “The Drew Way” seems to mean “screw over people you don’t like just because you can!” Sami had this one in the bag until the Scottish Terminator showed up, and now McIntyre & Nakamura look to do to Sami what they were doing to Cody last week! They stomp away on Sami, throw down fists, and fans boo as hard as they can! But then here comes Cody! Cody returns the favor and he DECKS Nakamura! Cody brawls with McIntyre, getting a jump on next week! McIntyre kicks low, scoops, but Cody slips free! Springboard, CODY CUTTER!! And then Nakamura gets in, but Cody catches him for a CROSS RHODES!
The fans cheer as the American Nightmare sends the Scottish Terminator running! Will Cody put McIntyre in his place on the Raw before Elimination Chamber? Or is this fight just a trap game before WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw with a lot going on, and not just for Elimination Chamber. The Six Man Tag was a great opener, with a great win for Jey. I’m surprised the Intercontinental Championship is now next week, but at the same time, there’s talk of Gunther having Visa issues so he can’t leave the USA right now. And I suppose it’s just too much to stretch this out another month so it can happen at Mania, so might as well have the title match happen on TV. I don’t know if that changes the outcome, but it’d be amazing if Jey got to win his first singles title, off of such a historic and dominant champion as Gunther, and it’s on cable.
Great Elimination Chamber qualifiers tonight. I came in here thinking storylines would get in the way of Lashley AND Knight making it through, yet both of them won without any issue. I’m learning to be patient in this HHH Era, so perhaps there’s something still to come in terms of AJ Styles VS LA Knight. But mostly, I really thought Bronson Reed was getting in so he could be the Australian in the match for Perth to cheer. At the same time, hometown hero pops might mess up what’s supposed to happen in the match as far as tone. As for Liv VS Stark, a really good match, and Liv was of course winning, she’s got her own reasons for going after Rhea.
Speaking of, awesome promo from Becky, really good promo from Nia being all fake, and then great little brawl. Rhea and Becky stand tall, you can bet that’s still the Mania plan. Really good promo involving Pearce, Indi, Candice, Chelsea, Shayna and Stark right after the news of the last chance battle royal. As it looks, Tiffany and Naomi are advancing to the Chamber match, so Shotzi, Zelina, Shayna, Stark, Mia Yim and however many others are in that match are gonna have a good one. Of just the five known names, something seems fitting that it’d be Shotzi getting in so she can just go wild in the Chamber, but maybe Indi could get in for that hometown pop?
At the same time, I do like the hint at something brewing for RawDown, possible a big Women’s Tag match to determine WrestleMania challengers. Meanwhile, great stuff with R-Truth and Judgment Day, really good match from Truth VS McDonagh, and I like the 8 Man Tag they set up for next week. But just when you think Truth can’t outdo himself, he has a new misunderstanding over DIY/DX, which legitimately cracked me up. Maybe Judgment Day wins the 8 Man Tag, given they’re going into a tag title match, but who knows, maybe British Strong Style shows up on Raw to get at Finn & Priest and that puts the math in Judgment Day’s favor.
And great stuff out of the ongoing world title story. Awesome promo segment from Cody and Rollins that definitely keeps the dream team tag match idea alive. If that match happens, it definitely has to be part of Night One before both top titles are on the line on Night Two. Great promo from Sami and Nakamura, though I wish they did better about subs when looking away from the tron, and an awesome main event to hearken back to NXT TakeOver: Dallas. McIntyre also had a good part to play, and of course he cost Sami here. If McIntyre doesn’t win the Chamber, there’s a very good chance he and Sami have a grudge match at Mania. Sami had that hilarious and awesome match with Johnny Knoxville, he and McIntyre can definitely have an amazing and serious match.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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